Gads, I love that. What usual place did you buy this? It has possibilities for so many decorating options in many styles. I'd grab it too. Does the link state where to buy one? I ran a search and couldn't find anything.

What a beautiful piece! I love it! I'm certainly no expert on vintage textiles, but I'd say it's definitely a handwoven wool Mexican blanket with some age on it - possibly 50s/60s?. I've never seen a design quite like that one. It's very pretty. Where are you going to use it?

I have some Mexican blankets from a trip in the late 70's. They aren't nearly as pretty as that. The wool in yours looks 'finer' whereas mine are thicker/rougher weaves and a more standard (or at least commonly seen in my trip) striped pattern in bold colors.

fly, I don't know how you do it, but you've got a golden touch when it comes to finding hidden goodies in your fav spot. (My local spot like that has nothing close, it has to be your area, too!)

Thanks, emagineer, jen, and moonshadow. The roses spoke to me : ) The usual place is my local thrift shop. Timing generally is crucial although this was so unusually expensive, I think it would have been there for a while. It also matters which one you go to, as the different neighborhoods are good for different things. It was with another rug that was simply the offwhite ground with black birds in a long straight pattern running up in two columns. It was interesting, but less so than this one. And at the (crows/ravens?) price they decided to charge, I was getting only one.

Yes, moonshadow, I have seen those too, the striped saltillo serapes--they're very nice--I really like the gradations--but this is definitely thicker.

I have no idea where I'm going to use it, Jen -- I don't want to put it on a horizontal surface because the cats will have their way with it and I'll have to hang it high enough so they can't scratch on it...It's so sweet it needs just the right spot--maybe my workroom/guest bedroom for a while. That's where the things that don't really fit the design in our home, but that I love anyway, all end up : )

I just wish I could find out definitively where/when it was made. I agree with your age guess, Jen, but have nothing to compare it with. I'm sure it wasn't the only one of its kind made. I'll keep digging. Thank you so much for your replies.

Why do you think it's Mexican?...Perhaps European? Asian? Russian?...
And I would call it a shawl or stole....too narrow for a serape.
When I have time I'll do a little looking and see what I find.
I would wear it!!
Linda C

Linda, you really can't wear this. It would be like wearing a small dhurrie rug. It doesn't drape or fold like a serape. I should have taken better pictures that would make that clear. I have to get new batteries today -- I'll try to take more tonight. I could see using it as a sa

One reason I call it southwestern/Mexican is what the other piece like it was, with the southwestern black birds woven in. It also just *feels* southwestern...

Hm. The term 'saddle blanket' just popped into my head as I was writing that last paragraph. Off to follow that one when I can...

Just found the closest thing by far so far...except mine's better of course : )

(saddle blankets have a particular arrangement of fringe -- two corners and across a long side--so that's not what mine is)

Here is a link that might be useful: smaller, bleeding, flowers not as nice but still same idea